Daily news roundups / Featured

Parke to Union? More news.

Photo: Nicolae Stoian

Philadelphia Union

The Brotherly Game says that it “has learned” that Seattle Sounders defender Jeff Parke “is in talks” with the Union. The article says, “Parke has been rumored to want to return to the East Coast and the Union are interested” (links in the original). The links in the quote are a speculative response to an initial teaser tweet from tBG (which did not name Parke), a speculative response to Jonathan Tannenwald’s response to the tBG teaser tweet, and a speculative response to a retweet of the tBG teaser tweet. Nevertheless, this is one rumor that feels like it could have some substance.

The tBG article notes that a Union move to acquire the Downingtown native and former Drexel Dragon “would require a trade with the Sounders for his contractual rights.”

The Seattle Times Sounders FC blog picks up on the tBG article and notes that Parke, whose wife was due to give birth to their first child at the end of November, “made a point of mentioning his family would be key in a decision on his future.”

A report linking to the tBG story from fellow SB Nation blog Sounder at Heart notes, “Monday the trade window officially opens for one day with the final lists of players available in the Re-Entry Draft available shortly before Friday’s Phase One of that player acquisition process taking place.” Could be an interesting Monday.

Jonathan Tannenwald talks to new Union assistant coach Jim Curtin. It’s a good read and much of the discussion is on player development and Curtin’s coaching philosophy. Curtin says of the Union, “Is it perfect yet? No it’s not. But we have a core group of guys that have bought into John [Hackworth]. It’s going to be a process and we’re going to get it right, I think, quicker than people think.”

Zac MacMath is back from Everton and Amobi Okugo is back from Freiburg.

Jimmy McLaughlin talks about his training stint with Hoffenheim. “It was really cool to see how they do things.”

It is with sadness that we read the announcement that Philadelphia Union Talk have closed shop. We are very pleased to say that readers will be able to find the sharp wit and insight of Conor O’Grady here at the Philly Soccer Page.

Local

In Saturday’s U-17/18 action at the US Development Academy Winter showcase, Players Development Academy defeated De Anza Force 2–0, FC Delco defeated Portland Timbers, and PA Classics drew 1–1 with Chicago Fire.  The teams are back in action today.

In U-15/16 play, PA Classics thumped Sporting Kansas City 4–0, PDA won 3–2 over St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri U-15/16, and FC Delco lost 2–0 to Texans SC Houston. On Sunday, PDA defeated De Anza Force 1–0, FC Delco bounced back to defeat Portland Timbers 3–0, and PA Classics lost 1–0 to Chicago Fire. The teams return to play on Tuesday.

Moorestown fell 3–1 to Northern Highlands in the New Jersey Group 3 state girls’ soccer final at the College of New Jersey.

MLS

LA Galaxy defeated Houston Dynamo 3–1 on Saturday to win the MLS Cup for the second year in a row.

At SI, Avi Creditor credits MVP Omar Gonzalez.

ESPN writes that it was a storybook ending for David Beckham’s time in MLS.

Simon Evans at Reuters considers what Beckham did for the league and also says the league’s recent growth and success is due to more than “Brand Beckham.”

Just where Beckham will end up after playing his last MLS game remains to be seen but he says a Champions League team would be nice.

Jermaine Defoe would be happy if Beckham joined Tottenham.

Forbes estimates “that Beckham earned $255 million over the past six years in MLS, including salary, revenue sharing, endorsements, appearances and licensing.”

Tim Leiweke, president of LA Galaxy owner AEG, says Beckham has been helping the Galaxy woo Kaka.

Landon Donovan on his future: “It’s not a woe-is-me story, but I have to listen to my heart and my gut, and right now my gut says to get away for awhile.”

The New England Revolution have declined the contract options on four players, including Benny Feilhaber.

SBI says that RSL’s Jamison Olave and Fabian Espindola are headed to New York Red Bulls “for a large amount of allocation money,” with Will Johnson going to the Portland Timbers.

Yossi Benayoun is reportedly interested in moving to MLS and is being shopped around.

Could family considerations keep Frank Lampard in London rather than a move to MLS?

The Wall Street Journal wonders if MLS has become a “football paradise.”

Time looks at why soccer threatens the NHL.

The New York Cosmos have confirmed that they will not field a team in the first half of the new two-part NASL season and will join the league in the fall. That means no US Open Cup participation for 2013.

Women’s Soccer

North Carolina defeated Penn State 4–1 on Sunday to win the NCAA women’s soccer championship.

Stumptown Footy rounds up what is known so far about player acquisition, roster rules, and team/league operations for the new professional league.

Brandi Chastain talks to Soccer Nation about the future of the women’s game in the US.

US

The USMNT will hold a camp Jan. 14-31 ahead of February’s World Cup qualifier against Honduras. A friendly is in the works for Jan. 30.

The USWNT defeated Ireland 2–0 on Saturday with goals from Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. Post game quote sheet here.

Tijuana, with American’s  Edgar Castillo, Joe Corona and Greg Garza, are champions of Mexico’s Liga MX.

The USMNT U-17’s fell 4–3 to Portugal in the final game of the 2012 Nike International Friendlies.

Elsewhere

Will Jose Mourinho leave Real Madrid in June?

 

2 Comments

  1. Piotr’s Corner will be making the transition from PUT with Conor right…?

  2. That WSJ article was a complete waste of time. What an idiotic piece it was with lines like “a roster slightly above the Long Beach Poly High School junior varsity” when referring to the LA Galaxy before Beckham joined and suggesting that Clint Dempsey needs to come home because he’s struggling at Tottenham.

Leave a Reply to alex Cancel

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*